Jerome sees red for Birmingham
Newly-relegated Birmingham overcame the enforced loss of £3 million striker Cameron Jerome to begin their Championship campaign yesterday with an undistinguished victory over newly-promoted Colchester. Down to 10 men for the last 20 minutes of a scruffy contest, the promotion favourites won with an impressive goal by teenage Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner, who is on loan from Arsenal until Christmas. Telegraph
Bendtner brings the house down
Nicklas Bendtner had a debut to remember for Birmingham as he grabbed the late winner which spoiled Colchester's first day in the Championship - and that after his Blues team-mate Cameron Jerome had been sent off after five minutes of his debut for violent conduct. Observer
Bendtner rescues Blues
Hope may have been renewed at their local rivals Aston Villa, but it will take a little while longer for Birmingham City's supporters to regain the faith. Their team's bid to return to the Premiership began in earnest yesterday with the visit of Colchester United. And despite an opening day win, it will take a while for the belief, and on the evidence of a far from capacity attendance at the St Andrew's Stadium, the supporters, to trickle back. Independent